Giants don't want Buster Posey 'resting' at first

Published 4:00 am, Saturday, February 19, 2011

When the Giants finally summoned Buster Posey from Fresno last year, he initially played first base. That will not happen much, if at all, this season.

Manager Bruce Bochy said he does not plan to have Posey play first as a semi-rest on days he does not catch.

"When he gets a day off, I want him to get a complete day off," said Bochy, who otherwise has no plans to baby the 2010 Rookie of the Year. Asked if Posey might catch 135 games this year, Bochy said, "That's a pretty good area. I wouldn't be surprised if it was more."

The issue arose because Posey's backup, Eli Whiteside, had X-rays and an MRI exam on a sore throwing elbow. Whiteside said the tests showed no structural damage, just fluid buildup, to be treated with two days of rest and anti-inflammation drugs.

The Giants got more good medical news. Closer Brian Wilson's sore lower back was much improved. He played catch for 10 minutes on flat ground and expects to resume workouts today, though there is no timetable for throwing off a mound again.

"This thing is so minute," Wilson said. "If I tried to continue (to work), something might come out of it. On pitchers and catchers' Day 2, we don't need to push it."

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Giants manager Bruce Bochy had some fun with his hat while warming up. The San Francisco Giants worked out at Scottsdale Stadium Friday February 18, 2011.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy had some fun with his hat while warming up. The San Francisco Giants worked out at Scottsdale Stadium Friday February 18, 2011.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Giants don't want Buster Posey 'resting' at first

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Sandoval meets scale: Pablo Sandoval reneged on his promise to reveal his weight following his formal weigh-in Friday. He smiled and said, "It's against the rules." But he declared himself happy with the number. Bochy was, too.

"I don't need to look at a scale to see how hard he's worked and where he's at," Bochy said. "It's pretty evident he worked hard all offseason to get into shape here."